Tottenham have "long-standing interest" in bringing £16.2m star to Hotspur Way | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur have a ‘long-standing interest’ in Brighton and Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey, according to Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge.

Antonio Conte is expected to be active in the transfer market over the summer as he looks to stamp his mark on the first-team squad at Hotspur Way, and the 21-year-old could be a potential addition.

What is the latest news involving Tottenham?

According to The Telegraph, Conte will tell Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici that he needs as many as six new signings to compete in the Premier League and in Europe next season.

Spurs are still in the hunt for a top-four finish after an impressive turnaround under the Italian tactician’s tutelage following his arrival back in November as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor.

However, Tottenham remain a long way behind the Premier League’s leading clubs, Manchester City and Liverpool, and Conte evidently feels new signings are needed in order to close the gap.

And two new wing-backs, one for each flank, are believed to be the ‘next priority’ for the north London outfit behind signing a left-sided centre-back, according to The Athletic.

The Football Terrace…

Spurs came close to signing Wolves’ Adama Traore in January before the Spain international returned to his boyhood club Barcelona on a short-term loan deal.

But the capital club could look to revive their interest in Lamptey when the market reopens for business after Sky Sports revealed they were eager to prise him away from the Amex Stadium last June.

What has Bridge said about Lamptey?

Lamptey, who is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents following his switch from Chelsea to Brighton in January 2020.

But the England Under-21 international has already missed 36 games of his senior career through injury, and Bridge has revealed that Spurs have ‘been quoted crazy figures’ for his services.

He told GiveMeSport: “Tottenham have had a long-standing interest in Tariq Lamptey. But they’ve been quoted crazy figures for a very good full-back, but someone who’s had his own injury problems.”

Would Lamptey be a good signing?

Lamptey, described as having “electric pace”, has played fewer than 50 Premier League games to date, but he’s already shown his truly top-class potential during his time with the Seagulls.

As per FBref, the 5 foot 5 ace has ranked in the 99th percentile for progressive carries, 96th for progressive passes received, 93rd for dribbles completed and 88th for shot-creating actions amongst players in his position over the last year.

It’s easy to understand why Tottenham and Conte are believed to be tracking Lamptey, therefore, but only time will tell if he makes the switch this summer.